Automatic choker valve control for gas engines



' Feb. 2, 1932. -r. J. KELAHER. JR 1,843,680

AUTOMATIC CHOKER VALVE CONTROL FOR GA'S ENGINES Filed March 24, 1950 9- v INVENII'OR Z5 fire/was (I KELAHE/P, 2

Patented Feb. 2, 1932 PATENT OFFICE THOMAS JHKELAHER, JR., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC CHOKER VALVE CONTROL FOR GAS ENGINES Application filed March24, 1930 Serial No. 438,289.

The invention relates to choker apparatus as utilized in connection with the operation of internal combustion engines, more especially in the control of the supply of. air fiow to the carburetor thereof.

The invention has for its object to accomplish the control of the air flow to the carburetor automatically, such ,control being initiated with the actuation of the usual electrically-controlled starter mechanism; also, to maintain this control for an appreciable period after the engine has beenstarted, the choking effect being gradually reduced rather than abruptly as is the case with the devices heretofore proposed and actuated simultaneously with the starting operation. A further object of the invention is to providea device of the aforesaid character which is adaptable to various makes of automobiles without necessitating serious changes therein; and, furthermore, is of comparatively inexpensive construction and simple and effective in operation.

In carrying out the invention, provision is made for energizing an electro-thermic means, such asa rheostat, to generate heat in proximity to a thermostatic device embodying a movable element. The latter is arranged to be connected with the choke valve of the engine carburetor for communicating its movement to said valve, and the current for energizing said electro-thermic means being provided from the starting battery of the automobile simultaneously with the closing of the circuit to its electrically-ace tuated starter.

The nature of the invention, however, will bestbe understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an automobile englue and portion of the automobile body, the latter being shown in section, and equipped with the novel choke control means.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the novel thermostatically actuated member utilized; and Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof.

Referring to the drawings, designates an internal combustion engine of an auto- Lil How thereto.

mobile, the forward portion of the body of which latter is indicated at 1.1, partly in section; and 12 indicates the carburetor of the en ine, the same being provided with a suitab e control valve 13 for regulating the air 56 This valve has an operating lever Hand is connected in the usual manner through arod or Wire 15 and an extension or auxiliary wire 15 to the front of the dash 16015 the body portion for manual 0 ration. 60

In accordance wth the invention, owever, provision is made for also moving the handle or lever 14 automatically upon closing of the starter switch 17 which operates the starting motor 18 in the usual and well-known man 05 ner. To this end, there is included in shunt with the lead 19 of the starting circuit an elec tro-thermic device housed Within a casing 20, said device including a resistance coil 21 whose one end is connected to the lead 19 79 through a lead 22, while the other end of the coil is grounded as at 23. The housing may be secured to the back of the dash 16; and contains also athermostatically movable arm 24 which is associated with the electro- 75 the'rmic device, being located in close roximity thereto within the housing 20 to Ee influenced by the heat generated when current is supplied to the said resistance coil thereof.

. Furthermore, a swivelled carburetor fitting 25 connects, through a slot 26 of the housing, the free end of the movable arm member 24 with the rod 15 and thereby with handle or lever 14 of the carburetor, so that any motion of said movable arm will be communicated to the choke valve 13.

It is preferred, also, to have the movable arm 24 serve as a portion of the heating circuit for the resistance coil; and to this end, the lead 22 is connected through said arm to the one end of the said coil. When current is then supplied therethrough, the heating of the resistancecoil will be effected; and the said arm continues to move thereover during 9 the supply of current and until the circuit is broken by thesaid arm leaving ,the coil portion in its upward movement.

Due to its momentum and the accumulated heat, it will continue to move slightly beyond the end of the coil, even after the circuit has been interrupted, before it begins its return swing; and the return will thus not be abrupt but gradual due to the said accumulated heat not only of the arm but also of that which still is retained by the coil, the rate of radiation being gradual. As a result of this expedient, the supply of air will remain out ofi much longer than has been the practice heretofore; and increase of same to the carburetor will be gradual, which is desirable durin the period of warming up of the engine.

rovision has been made, also, to insure contact between the movable contact arm and the resistance coil, as in providing over the former a bar 27 which is movably mounted upon posts 28 and 29, serving also as stops for said arm, and resiliently urged toward the said heating coil by means of coil springs 30 and 31 about the said posts.

I claim:

1. A choking device for the carburetor of an internal combustion engine having an electrically actuated starter motor and a choker valve for controlling air flow to said carburetor, comprising a resistance coil connected in the circuit for the starter motor, a'thermostatic element movable over said resistance coil and in electrical contact therewith to supply current thereto and connected with the choker valve for communicating its movement thereto.

2. A choking device for the carburetor of an internal combustion engine having an electrically actuated starter motor and a choker valve for controlling air flow to said carburetor, comprising a resistance coil connected in the circuit for the starter motor, a thermostatic element movable over said resistance coil and in electrical contact therewith to supply current thereto, adapted to move beyond said coil to interrupt the circuit thereto and connected with the choker valve for communicating its movement thereto.

3. A choking device for the carburetor of an internal combustion engine having an electrically actuated starter motor and a choker valve for controlling air flow to said carburetor, comprising a resistance coil connected in the circuit for the starter motor, a thermostatic element movable over said resistance coil and in electrical contact therewith to suppl current thereto, adapted to move beyond said coil to interrupt the circuit thereto and connected with the choke valve for communieating its movement thereto, and means to yieldingly urge said arm toward the coil.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

" THOMAS J. KELAHER, JR.

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